Personal Injury Lawyer in Evergreen, CO

The Evergreen community is valued because it is far enough from Denver to enjoy pristine natural landscapes but close enough to be a popular destination for those who want to spend a day or two hiking, biking, or attending a music or sporting event. This constant flow of people and the changing foothills weather can increase the risk of car accidents, slip and falls, and other kinds of injuries. This is especially true due to Evergreen’s location off of a hilly stretch of I-70 and the surprisingly winding nature of the of Colorado State Highway 74, otherwise known as the Evergreen Parkway.

If you want to know more about how an Evergreen personal injury attorney can help with your case, call Cook, Bradford & Levy, LLC, at (303) 543-1000. We have been serving injury victims in Colorado since 1978.

Why is it Important to Hire a Local Evergreen Injury Lawyer?

Brian Bradford is an experienced lawyer and the co-founder of Cook, Bradford & Levy. Brian lives in Evergreen with his family and knows the distinct nature of this special community. Whether it be the nature of the jury pool in Jeffco, the roads that are the most dangerous, or the resources available to help you after a crash, Brian uses his local knowledge to assist his clients in achieving optimal outcomes in their personal injury cases.

How Do Accidents Happen in Evergreen?

As locals and tourists may know, Evergreen’s website describes the community as “teaming with events ranging from music festivals, art festivals, food events, sporting events and much more.” Such events can be fun if everyone behaves in a cautious and respectful way, but unfortunately, that is not always what happens. Even a seemingly small act of carelessness can result in:

Motor Vehicle Crashes

According to data from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), approximately 18 percent of the 18,795 collisions that occurred in Jefferson County in 2023 involved “careless driving.” Other negligent actions that led to accidents include failure to yield the right of way, tailgating, and lane violations. There is also an abundance of wildlife in Evergreen, and a distracted driver must be careful to avoid a collision with an elk or deer.

If you visit Evergreen during an event that allows drinking or drug usage, you might be at heightened risk of being hit by a drunk or high driver.

Bicycle Accidents

Evergreen’s roads can be even more dangerous for cyclists, who have far less protection than someone inside a motor vehicle. In October 2024, for example, a cyclist was killed in a head-on collision with a car in Evergreen. SH 103, formerly known as Squaw Pass Road, is popular with cyclists and cars traveling to Mt. Blue Sky. Cook, Bradford & Levy’s attorneys are bicycle enthusiasts and know first-hand that cars often drive too fast and without giving cyclists along SH-103 due regard, posing a deadly risk to those riding bikes.

Even if you stick to off-road trails like the Alderfer/Three Sisters Park Trailheads, you could still suffer an injury if the company from which you rented the bicycle failed to maintain the bike or there is a defect with the bike itself.

Premises Liability Accidents

Whenever you visit or stay on someone else’s property, the owner of that property must take certain steps to ensure your safety. For example:

• Hotels like the Alpen Way Chalet Mountain Lodge have to keep all walkways well-lit, in good repair, and free of clutter.
• The organizers of events like the Evergreen Mountain Bike Festival must hire adequate security and prevent overcrowding.
• Owners and operators of Evergreen’s many stores, bars, and restaurants have to monitor the premises for spills and keep the floors clean at all times, as well as the sidewalks free of snow and ice.

Cook, Bradford & Levy, LLC, can handle cases involving injuries that could have been prevented through proper maintenance and vigilance.

How Can You File a Personal Injury Case?

To be clear, most car accident cases and start with and are resolved through the insurance claims process, which does not involve filing a lawsuit with the court. Under Colorado law, however, you do have three years to file a lawsuit after a motor vehicle accident and two years to file a suit after most other kinds of accidents. It is therefore vital that you act quickly to:

• Protect your health
• Protect your legal rights
• Recover the financial compensation you need

Our legal team can inform you of the full extent of your rights and responsibilities under the law. We can also manage all legal tasks on your behalf, including:

• Filing your case within the deadlines discussed above
• Collecting evidence from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, witnesses, experts, and everyone involved in the accident
• Contacting the liable party and their insurance company on your behalf
• Fighting for a settlement that will cover all past, present, and future losses

Our clients greatly appreciate the services we offer, describing our lawyers as “amazing,” “very open and honest,” and “respectful, knowledgeable, and kind.”

Call Cook, Bradford & Levy, LLC, today at (303) 543-1000 to learn more about what we can do for you. We charge nothing up front for our services, and if you are too badly injured to visit one of our offices, our attorneys can come to see you. This way, there is no unnecessary delay in starting your case.

What Damages Can You Get From a Claim or Lawsuit?

You may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages to ensure your family’s financial stability for as long as it takes to heal from your injuries. If your injuries are permanent, your compensation should cover all accident-related losses for the rest of your life.

Our attorneys can seek compensation for losses like:

• Pain and suffering: Both physical and emotional distress can affect your life after an injury.
• Reduced quality of life: You might have trouble looking after yourself or your loved ones, or you might have to give up fun but strenuous activities like hiking or rafting.
• Disability: If you are temporarily or permanently unable to use any part of your body—including limbs, organs, or senses like sight or hearing—you could be eligible for damages.
• Medical care: Compensation covers all treatment expenses. For example, if you had to be transported to Lakewood’s CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital for emergency surgery, we can seek damages for the cost of the transportation, the surgery, the hospital stay, and any follow-up care and therapy you need.
• Lost wages: Whether you cannot work for a few days or can never return to your old job, you could be entitled to compensation for all of the income and benefits you should have been able to earn.

How Much Is Your Case Worth?

We can answer that question by carefully investigating how your accident happened and what the short- and long-term effects of that accident will be. By analyzing medical records, expert testimony, and documentary evidence like bills and tax information, our lawyers can fight for the maximum compensation you are entitled to.

How Can You Get Damages for Your Accident?

We may settle your case out of court or represent you at a trial at Jefferson Combined Court in Golden. Either way, Cook, Bradford & Levy, LLC, believes in the Power of Justice, and we do not refuse a case just because it is complex or difficult.

Can I Still Get Damages if I Am Partly at Fault?

Up to a point, yes, accident victims have the right to recover compensation after an accident that they contributed to. Under CO. Rev. Stat. § 13-21-111, you may still receive damages so long as you are less than 50 percent responsible for your injuries. For example, say that you were injured in a car crash on the Evergreen Parkway and suffered losses worth $100,000:

• If the defendant is 100 percent responsible for the crash, you can receive the full $100,000 value of your losses.
• If the defendant is 70 percent responsible and you are 30 percent responsible, your recovery will be reduced by 30 percent. You can now recover only $70,000 out of the total $100,000.
• If you are 50 percent responsible for the crash, you become ineligible to recover compensation and will receive nothing.

In some cases, the insurance company may try to unfairly blame you for the accident, regardless of your actual fault, so that they can reduce what they owe you. Our lawyers can protect you against such tactics by carefully investigating your case and speaking with the insurer on your behalf.

What Might Contribute to Accidents in Evergreen, CO?

Many factors unique to Evergreen’s environment can contribute to personal injuries, especially when combined with human negligence. Understanding these risks can help residents and visitors alike exercise greater caution.

The Impact of Evergreen's Distinct Seasons

Evergreen experiences four distinct seasons, each presenting its own set of potential hazards that can lead to accidents:

• Winter: Icy roads, particularly on winding mountain routes like parts of Bear Creek Road or even within residential areas with steep inclines, significantly increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents. Black ice, often invisible, can lead to sudden loss of control. Furthermore, pedestrians can face an elevated risk of slip and fall accidents on icy sidewalks or in parking lots of local businesses. Furthermore, reduced daylight hours in the fall can decrease visibility for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
• Summer: As the weather warms, Evergreen becomes a hub for outdoor enthusiasts and tourists. This influx of people interested in warm-weather events and activities, such as the Evergreen Rodeo, may lead to increased traffic on local roads, raising the likelihood of motor vehicle collisions.
• Spring and Fall: Rapidly changing weather conditions can lead to unexpected patches of ice or slick roads. Heavy rainfall in the spring can cause flooding or create hazardous driving conditions. In autumn, falling leaves can make roadways slippery and obscure lane markings.

The Presence of Wildlife

Evergreen's location nestled within the foothills of the Rocky Mountains means that encounters with wildlife are common. According to Evergreen Audubon/Nature Center, areas in and around Evergreen are teeming with animals as diverse as coyotes, moose, skunks, raccoons, and bobcats.

While often a beautiful sight, these encounters can also lead to accidents, particularly involving motor vehicles:

• Deer and Elk Collisions: Deer and elk are frequently seen crossing roads. The more rural roads surrounding Evergreen may be particularly prone to these incidents. Collisions with large animals can cause significant damage to vehicles and result in serious injuries to drivers and passengers. Paying close attention to wildlife crossing signs and reducing speed in these areas is crucial, but visitors from more urban areas may not realize this.
• Other Wildlife Hazards: While less common, animals like bears, mountain lions, and smaller mammals can also pose risks. Swerving to avoid an animal can lead to a loss of control and subsequent accidents.

Cyclists and pedestrians on trails like the Lewis Ridge Trailhead may also encounter wildlife. Attacks are rare, but it's important to be aware of the potential for dangerous interactions.

Understanding these seasonal and wildlife-related factors is crucial for anyone living in or visiting Evergreen. If, despite your best efforts, you were injured because of these factors—for example, you were hit by a distracted driver who had to swerve at the last minute to avoid an animal or an ice patch—the lawyers at Cook, Bradford & Levy, LLC, can help.

What to Do After an Accident in Evergreen

Following an accident in Evergreen, your priority is safety:

• Check for injuries and move to a secure location.
• Call 911. Depending on where and how the accident occurred, the county sheriff’s office, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), Evergreen Fire/Rescue, and/or another organization may respond to your call.
• Seek immediate medical attention and preserve all medical records. Always seek evaluation from a doctor, especially if you may have hit your head: as UCHealth explains, “all concussions are serious,” so you will want to see a doctor right away.
• Exchange information with involved parties if safe, but avoid discussing fault. Even a simple “I’m okay,” or “I’m sorry,” could give the insurance company grounds to argue that you were not that badly injured or that you were at fault.
• Document the scene with photos and gather witness details.
• Keep all accident-related documents organized.
• Avoid giving recorded statements to the other party's insurer until you have consulted with an attorney.

Finally, once you are out of immediate danger, speak with our personal injury lawyers to understand your rights and navigate the claims process. Cook, Bradford & Levy, LLC, can protect you from bad-faith insurance tactics and ensure you meet Colorado's filing deadlines.

How Can You Take Action After Your Personal Injury?

Cook, Bradford & Levy, LLC, would be glad to assess your case at no charge. Call (303) 543-1000 so our personal injury lawyers can start investigating your Evergreen accident and hold the at-fault party accountable for the preventable harm they have done to your family.

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